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British climber dies in Alps fall British climber dies in Alps fall
(40 minutes later)
An 18-year-old British man has plunged 160ft to his death in the French Alps, near Chamonix, police have said.An 18-year-old British man has plunged 160ft to his death in the French Alps, near Chamonix, police have said.
Police said Thursday's accident on the Les Gaillands crag happened after the teenager used one rope instead of two to abseil down the rock face. Ian Jackson, from Middlesbrough, fell from the rock face on the Les Gaillands after using one rope instead of two to abseil down.
The man, who has not been named, died during his transfer by helicopter to a hospital in Geneva. He was airlifted out by rescue helicopter but died during his transfer to a hospital in Geneva.
He is understood to have been on holiday with two friends who witnessed the fatal accident.He is understood to have been on holiday with two friends who witnessed the fatal accident.
A French police spokesperson said: "They saw their friend falling. They could do nothing because it was too late."A French police spokesperson said: "They saw their friend falling. They could do nothing because it was too late."
"When he was abseiling down, one of the guys made a big technical mistake and he fell. He said "a big technical mistake" was made during the climb.
"When you abseil you must take two ropes and he only took one rope.""When you abseil you must take two ropes and he only took one rope."
He added: "The helicopter came but it was too late. He fell a lot of metres. He had no chance."He added: "The helicopter came but it was too late. He fell a lot of metres. He had no chance."
Les Gaillands is a crag popular with climbers in the Chamonix Valley, an area famous for its ski resorts.Les Gaillands is a crag popular with climbers in the Chamonix Valley, an area famous for its ski resorts.
Mr Jackson's family have been informed and are making their way to France.
The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Jackson's death and said it was providing consular assistance to his family.